Packing light/ Packing heavy. Why do you?

[Joezilla]

You can pack heavy and be prepared/have fun
You can pack light due to knowledge/ move faster/ be more comfortable.


Do you like to go light/ go heavy, and why,
without an abrasive response/connontation to "the people who may not hike the way you do"


Go!

 

[ieraseu]

Whenever I have gone heavy I have spent the entire hike just trying to 'tough out the pain' of pack straps on my shoulders and sore feet to make it to a base camp where I can finally begin enjoying myself. I did this a few times because I was sort of insecure about what to expect and ended up trying to compensate by carrying more gear. The only enjoyment I had on these trips was at base camp where I got to rest up from carrying a huge pack.

When I go light (which is pretty much all I do nowadays), I enjoy the entire hike from start to finish as opposed to just when setting up camp. I would never go back to carrying a heavy pack because that is more work then enjoyment.

 

[Snow]

I pack what I think I need or might need. When possible, I try to cut weight. I try to balance comfort on the trail with comfort at the campsite. That about sums it up for me.

 

[Bushman5]

I pack LIGHT because:

- i can hike further, faster, with less energy expenditure, less food and water consumption
- i get less injuries/stress on my already broken body
- less is more, i learn to do without creature comforts, or i learn to make said creature comforts form supplies mother nature provides

 

[jca21]

i pack light to mid weight. for long distance trips i'll pack mid weight as i need to prepare for more things. on trips under 4 days i'll pack fairly light.

i pack light for more manuverability and the ability to cover more ground easily.

i like to carry tools to make what i need to in the woods (i.e. knife, hatchet and saw) and pack the things i couldn't make (such as a pot).

 

[lambertiana]

I pack mid weight; my base weight before food and water is around 25lb. I like a full coverage tent to keep the mosquitoes at bay, and I insist on a full length insulated air matress so I can get good sleep. I like to cook real food, too.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Man, it's hard to say.
People tell me I pack heavy, yet my total weight is usually pretty close to theirs.

I tend to carry heavy things, because I like durable equipment, but I carry fewer things than most "light" campers.
Like I don't carry stoves and their attendant fuel containers. Or tents.

My loadout runs about 25 pounds in summer and 35 in winter. But I include the weight of a gallon of water and my food in that, most people don't.

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

I have only taken two multi day trips. Both times it was a heavy 55-60 lbs. I would love to go lighter next time.

 

[SouthernCross]

..... I like to cook real food, too.

+1



Kind regards
Mick

 

[jca21]

I have only taken two multi day trips. Both times it was a heavy 55-60 lbs. I would love to go lighter next time.

i carry about half of that for a week long trip.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I pack mid weight. I am a BIG guy so a little more doesn't really matter.

TF

 

[skammer]

You can pack heavy and be prepared/have fun
You can pack light due to knowledge/ move faster/ be more comfortable.


Do you like to go light/ go heavy, and why,
without an abrasive response/connontation to "the people who may not hike the way you do"


One needs to define light and heavy. Is light a cell phone only?

Is heavy a mule and cart as you illustrated?

Time of year weather and environment does it factor in?

Skam

 

[EMT_Lee]

I guess I tend to go "middle of the road". I mean, I dont really do ultra-light, but I dont bring the kitchen sink, either. I guess it depends on the trip, too. I mean, if my wife comes along... then, obviously, she's going to want a few more comforts, so I'll have to bring some extra stuff.

 

[kgd]

When I go with the wife - a lot of crap goes in the truck!!!!!! I mean a lot of crap. Not just a little. I should reiterate - alot.

When I go alone, I'm more constrained

 

[Rob_G]

Hmm...did the light and froze at night. More because I didn't want to break noise discipline and adjust my setup to cut the wind.

Did the moderate to heavy with a crap-pack, but enjoyed the trip.

Now, the missus is showing interest along with the littlun. Littlun is too much of a peanut for a pack right now, so more gear is getting divided between the missus and I. Plus, the missus has celiacs and they are both finicky eaters (doesn't like pouch chicken, tuna is the only fish the missus will go near - but very little, and on...), so food prep is...trying.

We're shopping for new packs for the two of us, figure a 65L in at <30 lbs. for her and at least a 70L in at <45 lbs. for myself. Littlun will have her own mini pack, but with little in it.

It's just all great exercise .

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Well I try to pack light....but my pack usually ends up around 65lbs. That's because I'm usually going hunting and have:
North Face down sleeping bag
Thermarest 3/4 Guide light
Tent
Primus Stove
Food for 9 days
Rain gear
Rifle
Spotting Scope
Binoculars
Two small knives
And 4 lbs of salt (for preseving the cape)

 

[sicily02]

What Snow and Cpl Punishment said sums it up for me.

Bryan

 

[gaj999]

The older I get, the lighter my pack gets.

Gordon

 

[Bumppo]

I usually bring what I need, and over time I have dropped my average three season pack from about 50 pounds To about 30 lbs, including food and water. I still carry the same number of things, but lighter versions as I replace the worn or broken previous items.
Car camping or canoeing, I pack a little heavier, mostly by adding things I want Vs. more of what I need. I also carry a pack that is just big enough to carry my own gear. It is amazing how much gear other people can pack into yours.

 

[Fonly]

I think im kinda in the middle. I like packing light, many of my items have more than one use, and are reusable. That said, my pack doubles as a SAR pack, so somethings have to go.

AFAK
Heavy duty Carabiners
Lots of glo sticks.
enough to shelter too

When Im on duty, or patrolling ammunition and rifle also comes, so it all depends on what I'm doing.

I dont take food unless Im on military time, in which case I have a quad or boat to take most of what I take. But water, boulion, coffee and juice are all ways with me, as well as my water which is two liters.